Idaho Falls, ID: Summer Travel Regulations will go into effect on May 20, 2013 for the Dubois Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forests. Local conditions are becoming suitable to support vehicle traffic on most roads and some trails without causing resource damage. “We ask forest users to stay on designated travel routes and use good judgment regarding travel on roads and trails not yet sufficiently dry to prevent resource damage.” stated Dubois District Ranger Ron Schlader. “Resource damage includes rutting of the road, trail, or other surfaces by any motorized vehicle during wet or muddy conditions, damaging any type of fish and wildlife habitat, or harassing any wildlife.” Additional closures or restrictions can be made at any time for resource protection or public safety. “Most roads and motorized loop trails are still snowed in at the higher elevations, but enough routes are open below the snowline to get out and enjoy the forest for Memorial Day weekend,” Schlader added.If you have questions regarding travel regulations come to or call the District Office at 127 West Main in Dubois, ID (208-374-5422) and familiarize yourselves with the District Motor Vehicle Use Map which indicates roads and trails that are open for motorized travel opportunities. District personnel are available to answer questions related to travel regulations.

Forest Supervisor Brent Larson welcomes a new District Ranger to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Ron Schlader will fill the Dubois District Ranger position in Dubois, Idaho. Schlader comes to the Caribou-Targhee from the Lolo National Forest in Montana where he has been a Realty Specialist since 2003. Schlader is a native of Idaho, graduated from high school at Kamiah, ID and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Idaho in 1975 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Archaeology from the University of Montana in 2005.He began his Forest Service career as an engineering technician on the Pierce Ranger District, Clearwater National Forest. He transferred to the Lolo National Forest at Superior, Montana in 1983 where he has been for the last 30 years.As a realty specialist, he managed the lands program for the three west side districts on the Lolo N.F. This included administration of over 160 special use permits and communication leases, land acquisitions and extensive collaboration and coordination with local, state and federal agencies.He has had acting District Ranger assignments in Region 1 on the Superior Ranger District, Lolo N.F. in 2007, Admiralty Island National Monument on the Tongass N.F. in Region 10 in 2009 and in Region 2 on the Nebraska N.F. at the Bessie Ranger District.“I look forward to this opportunity and hope that my diverse background will help contribute to the good work that the Dubois Ranger District and the Caribou/Targhee National Forest is doing,“ stated Schlader, “My past assignments provided me with unique management opportunities and local issues experience that will help me be an effective land steward at Dubois.”He has a wide range of experience with the Forest Service in addition to his lands background, including construction engineering, fire suppression and management, watershed restoration, vegetative management, mining restoration, grazing, travel management and outfitter/guides.He is married and has two grown sons and two granddaughters. Schlader will report to Dubois on April 8, 2013.

Idaho Falls, ID: Winter travel regulations will go into effect on January 11, 2013 for the Dubois Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forests. Wheeled vehicles are prohibited on travel routes designated for over-the-snow travel.Winter snow conditions are becoming such that cross-country travel off roads and trails can be permitted using snowmobiles. Recreationists are reminded to stop at the local Forest Service office or Visitor’s Center in Idaho Falls to view or purchase a current copy of the Winter Travel Map showing areas they can or cannot go.

The District is open to cross country travel by snowmobiles except for the big game winter range and wilderness areas.The Forest Service reminds winter users to stay on designated routes in big game winter ranges. This helps greatly to reduce stress on wintering animals. Big game can be encountered outside of the winter range areas especially early in the season. Please be considerate and minimize disturbance to wildlife.

If forest users have questions they are encouraged to come to District Offices or Visitor Centers and familiarize themselves with the District Travel Maps which indicate areas that have travel restrictions. District personnel are available to answer questions related to travel regulations.

About the Salmon River Mountain Press

The Salmon River Mountain Press shares news from federal and state natural resource agencies, environmental, conservation and recreation groups in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The blog delivers the content one news story at a time.